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Top 10 Walking Trails in the Lake District

best walking trails in the lake district

If you’re considering a nature trail trip in the United Kingdom, the Lake District should certainly be at the top of your list. The Lake District is one of the most popular staycation destinations in the UK, it provides something for walkers of all levels; from shorter, leisurely paths for beginners to more difficult routes for experienced hikers. The Top 10 Walking Trails in the Lake District (in our opinion!) are as follows:

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

3 Hours

Easy

Enjoy a Lake District walking trail at Grizedale Forest, located south of Hawkshead. It’s a fantastic day out for people of all ages and abilities. It’s perfect for a nature trail, even cyclists can explore this route. Hawkshead is about 3.5 miles from the visitors’ centre, which is located in the middle of the forest. A map of the walk is available at the Visitor Centre.

This simple 3-mile walking trail begins in the beautiful town of Hawkshead in the Lake District, starting from the car park, and is the ideal spot to begin. End your walk with a well deserved treat from the café.

Grizedale features nine well-marked walking paths of varied duration and challenge. The walking trails and Lake District hiking trails go through valleys, secret tarns, and up to the forest’s highest peak, which offers amazing views.

Rope bridges, tarzan swings, and zip slides, all up to 40 feet in the treetops, make up this award-winning high-wire forest adventure course. Enjoy a thrilling 3 hour Lake District hiking journey!

Over 50 pieces of forest sculpture may be found throughout the woodland. They’re constructed of a variety of materials, each one unique and fun to find. Perfect for nature trails. There are musical sculptures, animal sculptures, weird sculptures, and Andy Goldsworthy’s iconic “wall for a stroll.” The Visitor Centre has a map availabl

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

3 Hours 25 minutes

Medium

From a parking spot on Walna Scar Road near Coniston in the Lake District, the nature trail takes a round circuit. It begins by rising up the old Walna Scar road, which is now a track, before turning to begin the actual ascent up Brown Pike, Buck Pike, and Dow Crag.

Are you one for Lake District hiking? Then this trail is ideal for you. The walking trail has moderate difficulty and can be completed in 3 hours and 25 minutes. 

It goes without saying that once you reach the peak, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of surrounding hills, and on a clear day, you might even be able to see as far as Blackpool Tower!

We definitely recommend you take this nature trail as one of the best walking trails in the lake district.

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

1 Hour

Medium

This Lake District walking trail is fairly easy to complete, so it’s perfect for those who want a nice day out completing a nature trail without having to lie down in the middle of it to rest. The trail is dog friendly, and you can accomplish the walking trail in 1 hour. 

Start your adventure from the car park at Tom Gill. Before the gill-side with the beck below, the nature trail goes up a rocky slope. The waterfall is best observed from the left side of the walkway as it ascends.

After passing through a gate, continue down the route, staying to the left of the gill. As you reach Tarn Hows, take great caution on the last difficult portion. Through the gates, turn right onto the main track.

If you wish to go a little farther, to complete one of the best walks in the Lake District, climb the short hike to the tarn, where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the tarn’s waters and the surrounding hills.

Once you have completed the walking trail, head right down the field edge at the bottom of the hill, with Yew Tree Farm on the opposite side of the road. Exit the field, pass through the gate, and cross the wooden bridge into the car park where you originally started.

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

5 Hours

Hard

The Fairfield Horseshoe is an absolute must-do Lake District walk and hiking trail that justifies its popularity by providing walkers with spectacular views of Lakeland.

This trail is dog friendly and also includes a dog site where your canine companion can complete obstacles. This walking trail is fairly easy to complete, but don’t let that underestimate the seriousness of the trail as you spend the whole day here with a completion time of 5 hours. However, you can choose shorter routes, walking for a total of 1.6 miles.

If you book a trip with Parkdean Resorts, you’ll also receive a membership discount! Just head over to their website here.

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

3 Hours

Medium

Known as one of the best walking trails in the lake district, if you wish to get away from the crowded tourist areas of the Lake District, this path offers a really unspoiled experience.

The walking trail takes a total of 3 hours to achieve, and your canine partner is welcome to accompany you and stretch their legs as well. It includes a discrete mountain and breathtaking views of the Wasdale screes and western hills. 

The Isle of Man may be seen rising out of the Irish Sea like Avalon if visibility is excellent. The walking trail is moderately difficult to complete.

The Wastwater lake, which can be viewed throughout the walk, is England’s deepest lake and has been named Britain’s favourite scenery.

best walking trails in the lake district

Not Dog Friendly

4 Hours

Hard

A hike up Helvellyn, England’s third-highest peak, rewards hikers with a breathtaking view of the Lake District and Lancashire. There are many nature trail routes you can take, however, starting from either Glenridding in the west or Swirls car park in the east is the best idea, since the Lake District walking trail is a difficult one.

Helvellyn is for experienced hikers, so if you are looking for a Lake District hiking challenge, you may want to consider this walking trail.

For a dog, this nature trail is potentially harmful. To finish the ridge safely, your dog must be calm and controlled. This is not only for your safety, but also for the safety of others on the ridge. It will be dangerous if an eager dog gets beneath everyone’s feet.

Overall, Helvellyn is certainly one of the best walking trails in the lake district – just please don’t bring your dog for this one.

best walking trails in the lake district

Not Dog Friendly

1 Hour 4 minutes

Easy

Kirkstone Pass to Red Screes walking trail takes 1 hour and 4 minutes to accomplish, so it’s suitable for beginners. Nevertheless, to make this walk even shorter, you can drive halfway up if you don’t fancy taking on the full challenge. Much like Helvellyn, this nature trail is also potentially dangerous for dogs. 

The Lake District walking trail takes you through multiple hills, so you’ll have plenty of Lake District hiking and stunning views to admire.

Nonetheless, If you don’t want to take on the entire challenge, you may drive halfway up to make the trek even shorter. There’s no shame in a shorter route – you still get to experience and indulge in Lake District walking.

best walking trails in the lake district

Not Dog Friendly

5/6 Hours

Hard

The renowned and identifiable peaks of Blencathra, located north-east of Keswick, are an iconic feature of the Lake District’s scenery.

Sharp Edge, an aptly called Arête between Tarn Crag and Foule Crag, is one of the most recognized scrambles in the region. We don’t recommend this trail for inexperienced hikers, as some have described it as a razor sharp edge – hence the name – that could cause injury.

Blencathra is one of the most challenging ridges. There are a few options for starting sites, but we recommend parking in the public car park in Threlkeld, which will put you on a path with a lower gradient that will take you around five to six hours to finish. 

How’s that for one of the best walking trails in the lake district, not to mention the ultimate challenge for Lake District hiking?

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

1 Hour 30 minutes

Easy

One of the easy and best walks in the Lake District is a Lake District walking journey from Windermere train station to Townend, a classic 17th century farmhouse in Troutbeck that offers a fascinating insight into the surrounding region, with the option of choosing an alternate route. It’s moderately difficult and takes only 1 hour 30 mins to accomplish.

This simple path around the Troutbeck Valley should take no more than an hour. It’s the perfect stroll if you’re on holiday with the kids and want shorter, more enjoyable Lake District hiking.

To get the most out of your Lake District walking, take the footpath named Troutbeck from Crosses Farm and continue it across the fields to Far Orrest Farm. Follow the signs for the A592 through Dubbs Road at Far Orrest. When you reach the road, cross it and continue the other way through the field to the A592.

One of our personal favourites for best walking trails in the lake district

best walking trails in the lake district

Dog Friendly

Varies depending on route

Easy-Medium

If you’re searching for a bit of history and sightseeing to go with your stroll, a visit to Hardknott Roman Fort is a must for exploring. It’s the perfect morning adventure for Lake District walking and Lake District hiking.

This path has been recommended for nicer weather conditions because, whilst it is an easy walk, it can be swampy in sections.

There is a parking space near the fort, right off the Hardknott Pass, but be cautious because the road is steep.

Would you be interested in exploring any of these nature trails around the Lake District? We’d love to hear how it went. Did me miss some of the best walks in the Lake District? Let us know! If you are looking to purchase a new campervan, caravan or motorhome and would like to discuss your financing options, contact us today!

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